Integrated Ground Shield Rails for Electrical Connector Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector systems are complex and costly due to the need for additional components like midplane circuit boards and header adapters, and they struggle with assembling and connecting ground shields for signal path shielding.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector system with a housing and contact module stack that integrates signal contacts and ground shields, where the ground shields are aligned with transition portions of the signal contacts and extend into the connector chamber for mating, providing electrical shielding and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate ground shields are mounted into housing for electrical connection to electrical connectors, then electrical shielding for signal contacts is provided, but assembly is difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ground shield is integrated with the contact module assembly, where the ground shield forms part of the contact module structure itself. This integration eliminates separate ground shield components and simplifies assembly by combining multiple functions into a single modular unit that can be installed as one piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground shield is positioned within the housing structure and nested around the signal contacts. The ground shield rails extend through the housing and are received in ground contact openings, creating a nested arrangement where the ground shield is contained within the housing while surrounding the signal contacts for shielding.
2Adaptability or versatility
If midplane circuit board and header connectors are used to interconnect electrical connectors, then mating interfaces are provided, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is designed as an integrated assembly combining the connector body, contact modules, ground shields, and mounting features into a single unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate midplane circuit boards and header connectors, reducing the number of components while maintaining the mating interface functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector design provides universal mating capability through standardized contact modules and housing features that can interface with various mating connectors. The integrated design maintains adaptability while reducing overall system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into the connector assembly itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If header adapter connector is used between electrical connectors, then second mating interface is provided, but additional components and mating interfaces are added
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector integrates the mating interface functionality directly into the connector assembly through the contact module stack and housing design. This eliminates the need for separate header adapter connectors by providing the mating capability as an inherent part of the connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mating interface functionality is extracted from separate adapter components and incorporated directly into the electrical connector design. The contact modules with mating portions and the housing with ground contact openings provide the mating capability without requiring external adapter connectors.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a housing having a base with signal and ground contact openings therethrough and contact modules coupled to the base. Each contact module includes a dielectric holder holding signal contacts having mating portions received in corresponding signal contact openings and extending into a chamber for mating with a mating electrical connector. A ground shield is coupled to the dielectric holder having a plurality of rails. At least two of the rails have ground hoods extending forward of the mating end of the dielectric holder along the mating portions of the signal contacts. The ground hoods are received in corresponding ground contact openings and extend into the chamber for mating with the mating electrical connector.